Viol-organ.



No. 801,106. PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905.

' E. RINGBR.

VIOL ORGAN.

APPLICATION FILED OOT.16.1903.

I V/ T/VESSES:

No. 801,106. PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905. E. RINGER.

VIOL ORGAN.

APPLIGATION FILED 00T.16,1903.

l2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 E Ringer Attorney uunw 510mm ca. PNOYmunwGRwMRS.wAsummon. u c

No. 801106 PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905.

E RINGER VIOL ORGAN.

APPLICATION FILED 00'1. 16.1903- 12 SHBETS SHBET 3 No. 801,106. PATENTEDOCT. 3, 1905. E. RINGER.

VIOL ORGAN.

APPLIUATION FILED 001151903 1 HE J JFK Z1773 er No. 801,106, PATENTEDOCT. 3,1905. E. RINGER.

VIOLORGAN.

APPLIOATION FILED 001.216.1903

12 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

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No. 801,106, PATENTBD OCT. 3, 1905. E. RINGER.

VIOL ORGAN.

APPLICATION FILED OUT, 16,1903.

12 SHEETSSHEET 8.

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EX M32 6 a No. 801,106. PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905. E. RINGER. VIOL ORGAN.

APPLIGATION FILED 0CT.16,1903A 12 SHEETS-BHEET 9,

No. 801 10s. PATENTED 190 B. RINGER. OCT 5 VIOL ORGAN,

APPLICATION FILED 00T.16,1903.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 12.

PATENT ()FFICE.

ERNEST RINGER, OF TACOMA, \VASHINGWON.

VlOL-ORGAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1905.

Application filed October 16,1903. Serial No. 177,342-

To all 71/71/07/1/ it puny cancer-n:

Be it known that I, ERNEST Bureau, a citizen of the United States,residing at Tacoma, in the county of Pierce and State of VVashington,have invented new and useful Improvements in Viol-Organs, of which thefollowing isa specification.

This invention relates to key-operated musical instruments, and moreparticularly to the application of a keyboard to stringed instrumentsthat are played with a bow. The organization of contributing elements isbased on the principle that the viol tone can only be successfullyproduced in one Way, and that is the method now pursuednamely, bydrawing a resined horsehair bow, with motion and pressure properly gagedand controlled, across a viol-string on the usual form of viol-body andits ordinary attachments and appurtenances.

The present improved instrument has the outward appearance of an organwith manual and pedal keyboards, stops, and knee and pedal swells; butin the interior sets of viols, ranging from a small-sized viol to abass-viol, take the place of sets of reeds and pipes. It is proposed, asjust indicated, to use a number of viols at times; but the principle ofthe invention, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth, isillustrated by the use of a single viol, it being obvious that where anumber of viols are used in one instrument it will only be necessary toamplify the parts illustrated.

The mechanism included in the organization of contributing elements isdivided into three groups one for making the sound, another the tones,and the third expression. The firstgroup includes bow-armsone to eachviolin-string each arm being operative by as many movable devices asthere are tones to be produced on the string with which said arm coacts,said devices being actuated by depression of the keys of the manual.These bowarms operate bows to which movement is imparted to bring saidbows in contact with the strings of the viol, and the number of bowsemployed will be the same as the number of viol-strings, and each willhave a hair structure simulating the usual violin-bow. Motion isimparted to the bows, which are in the form of continuous beltspresenting four members for actuation of the viol-strings, or one foreach string.

The second group includes a series of movable elements arranged in closerelation to the finger-board of the violin and operative sim ultaneously with the sound-producing group of devices and controlled by thedepression of the keys of the manual.

The third group of elements embodies means for controlling expressionand includes devices whereby the movement of the bows may be regulatedat will and the pressure of the bows on the viol-strings increased ordecreased. This group also includes mechanism for bringing the bows incontact with the violstrings in normal position relative to the bridgeor at a distance from the latter, and the several mechanisms controllingthe eX- pression are actuated by the manual through the medium ofadepression of the keys of the latter at varying distances, knee-swells,and pedals.

The invention consists in the construction of the various elements andtheir arrangement and aggroupment in operative combinations, fullydescribed hereinafter.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a viol-organembodying the features of the invention and showing a single violdisposed therein. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section on the line 22, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of themanual-keys, a portion of the bow-arms and bows, and finger mechanism,together with intermediate actuating parts. Fig. AL is a side elevation,partially in section, of one of the bow-arms. Fig. 5 is a diagrammaticview of the bows of the bowing mechanism, showing them as comprisingcontinuous belts moving over rollers at their opposite extremities. Fig.6 is an edge elevation of the bowing mechanism. Fig. 7 is a view in endelevation of the viol-organ, partly in section, showing the knee-swellsfor regulating the pressure of the bowing mechanism on the violstringsand the motorbrake and also the pedal-operated means for opening andclosing the instrument-casing to regulate the degree of sound emittedtherefrom. Fig. 8 is a view in front elevation of the viol-organ casing,partly in section, showing the means for regulating the pressure of thebowing mechanism and the mechanism for regulating the degree of sound infront elevation. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line 9 9, Fig.'7, showing the pedal-operated devices in top plan view. Fig. 10 is asectional view on line 10 10, Fig. 7, showing the means operated by thekneeswells for controlling the movements of the motor for thebowingmechanism. Fig. 11 is a horizontal section on the line l1 11, Fig.7,

ITO

showing the construction of the pedals and the means for locking them atdetermined positions. Figs. 12 and 13 are detail enlarged views of thelevers operated by the kneeswells to shift the bow-pressure-regulatingmeans. Fig. 1 1 is a top plan view of one of the ends of the bowingmechanism carrying one set of rollers for the bowing-belts. Fig. 15 is aview on the line 15 15, Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a section on the line 8 9,Fig. 1 1. Fig.

'17 is a view in front elevation of the keyboard and the guiding andcontrolling bar for the keys. Fig. 18 is a top plan view of the guidingand controlling bar. Figs. 19 and 20 are edge elevations ofshifting-bars for controlling the strings played by each key of themanual. Fig. 21 is an elevation of a guide and supporting plate adjacentto which the finger-board of the viol is disposed. Fig. 22 is anenlarged detail section through a portion of the finger-support, showingone of the [ingers and a portion of a string. Fig. 23 is a sectionalView through the driving-pulley for the bowing-belts. Fig. 24; is a planview of a portion of the securing-lamina of the bowing-belt. Fig. 24: isa sectional view through a part of the braking mechanism for controllingthe speed of the bowing-belts. Fig. 25 is a view showing the arrangementand disposition of the horsehairs on the securing-lamina. Fig. 26 is aview showing the under side of the securing-lamina and the positionassumed by the ends of the hairs when applied to the belt and securedthereto. Fig. 27 is a longitudinal vertical section through a completedbowing-belt.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate correspondingparts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates a casing having a front manual extension 2 andsimulating in general appearance and contour an ordinary organ-casing,which may be ornamented or embellished with designs at will and variedin contour without affecting the operation of the mechanisms thereincontained. The manual includes the usual complement of keys 3 and a,representing whole and half tones or naturals and sharps and flats. Thekeys 3 and 4 will be mounted for depression as in ordinary organconstructions, and instead of sets of reeds and pipes, usualstop-actions, and bellows mechanism the interior of the casing 1 will beoccupied by the mechanism hereinafter more fully explained. In the rearpart of the casing 1 is a bottom clamp 5, comprising a rigid jaw 6 and amovable jaw 7, both jaws being engaged by a clamping-bolt 8, having athumb-nut 9, and the movable jaw is adapted to be directly engaged bythe said nut. The clamp 5 is accessible from the exterior of the casingthrough the medium of a slide or door in the back or one end thereof. Inthe upper part of the casing is a head-support 10, positioned in advanceof the vertical plane of the clamp 5, and the said head-supmrt and clampare adapted to be en gaged,respceti vel y, by the head 11 of a violin 12and the tail portion of the body of the latter, and when the violin 12is held by the clamp and head-support the strings thereof will bedisposed in a true vertical plane, as clearly shown by Fig. 2. It willbe understood that the lingerboard 13 will also be disposed in avertical position, and rigidly depending from the top of the casing 1 inclose proximity to and in advance of the viol-strings and keyboard is afinger holder or support 14, having therein a plurality of lingers whichare vertically alined in operative relation to each of the four stringsof the violin.

The number of fingers used in operative relation to each string willcorrespond in number to the number of tones that can be produced bystopping the strings at various points on the linger-board. Thelinger-holder 14. is shown in detail in Fig. 21, and the lingerconstruction is clearly illustrated, on an enlarged scale, by Fig. 22.The lingers each comprisea push-pin 15, having an outer head 16 andmovable through an opening 17 in the holder 14L. Between the head 16 andthe holder 14 a spring 18 surrounds the push-pin, which operates toretract the pin after depression of the same. The pin 15 moves looselyin its opening 17, and to depress the same a curved lever orpressure-arm 15) is employed and has its lower free end continually inengagement with the head 16. The upper end of the n'essure-arm ismovably attached to a fulcrum projection 20, and the downward movementof the arm 19 to effect a depression of the pin 15 is made against aresistancespring 21, having one terminal secured to the fulcrumprojection and the free extremity thereof bearing against the under sideof a part of the arm adjacent to said projection. Projecting upwardlyfrom the arm 19 is an apertured lug 22, and movably mounted therein isthe upper end of a pull-rod 23, having a stop or nut 24: thereon in rearof the lug and a spring 25 interposed between the stop or lug and thelug 22 to cushion the rod in order to avoid too forceful depression ofthe pin 15 and set up a lingering operation similar to that where thehuman hand is used. A part of the pull-rods 23 extends u nvardly, andthe remaining portion of the same has a downward inclination, as clearlyshown by Fig. 2. This reverse inclination of the pull-rods being adoptedin order to have them operative by devices supported on a single shaftor red. The pull-rods 23 are connected at their front ends to bell-crank levers 26, Fig. 23, mounted on a supporting-rod 27, which is suitablyheld within the casing, said bell-crank levers each having a short arm28, which normally depends below the rod' 27, and a forwardly-projectinglong arm 29, which occupies a horizontal position when at rest or innormal position. The rods 23 are attached to the short arms 28, and thesprings 25 in addition to their cushioning effect also serve to turn thelevers 26 to normal position, when said levers are free to assume suchposition. Pairs of the levers 26 are operative by each manualkey 3 or 4in alternation, through features of adjustment which will be presentlyset forth, to permit each manual-key to produce two tones on the violinor viol strings to provide a greater range of operation withoutunnecessarily multiplying the manual, and the pullrods 23, attached tothese pairs oflevers 26, will control the actuation of fingers engagingdifferent strings so that two unison tones can be produced by eachmanual-key. Below and in advance of the rod 27 apair of supportingrods30 and 31 is held within the casing under the rear terminals of the keys3 and 4:, and secured to each is an upwardly-projectinglever 32 withpull-rods 33 movably attached to the upper ends thereof and projectingthrough the front of the casing at a slight elevation above the front ofthe manual. The said pullrods are shiftable in a supporting box orbracket 34, projecting inwardly from the front of the casing, and on theouter ends of said rods are heads 35. The rods 33 and their heads aredisposed in parallel relation and are at sufi icient distance apart fromeach other to avoid interference. The rods 30 and 31 have a rockingmovement, and secured thereto and rising thereabove at regular intervalsare upstanding placers 36 adjacent to the rear end of each manual-key 3or 4, each of the placers having a pair of bearing-arms 37 at the upperend thereof, which are spaced apart from each other and in parallelrelation. Movably mounted in the bearing-arms 37 are push-pins 38,having intermediate stops 39 to limit the movement thereof. Theextremities of the push-pins respectively project above and below thearms 37, and the placers are in such contiguity to the rear ends of themanual-keys that the lower extremities of the pushers may be alternatelythrown over and brought into contact with the upper sides of said rearkey ends. The upper ends of the pushers are always disposed under thelong arms 29 of the bell-cranks 26, and when the pushers are in verticalposition they contact at opposite ends, respectively, with the long arms29 of the bellcranks 26 and the upper sides of the rear ends of themanual-keys. By such close arrangement a depression of any one of themanualkeys will sensitively effect an immediate operation of thefingering mechanism, as well as other mechanism, which will be presentlyset forth. It will be understood that when the rod 30 is actuatedthrough the medium of its pull-rod 33 to throw the placer carried bysaid rod adjacent to each manual-key all the placers held by the samerod will be simultaneously moved into engaging position relative to thecorresponding manual-keys. The same is equally true of the rod 31 andthe parts carried thereby.

The rods 30 and 31 have cranks 4L0 extending downwardly therefrom, andmovably attached thereto are the upper ends of connecting-levers i1,having their lower ends pivotally secured to shifting-levers 4L2, heldat their rear ends on a fulcrum device or stud 43. The shifting-levers5L2 project upwardly under and at a distance below the manual and areconnected to chain-slides 4A and 45, (shown in detail by Figs. 19 and20,) which are in the form of bars disposed in parallel relation andvertically movable in guides 4C6, secured to the inner sides of theopposite ends of the casing, as shown by Fig. l, and carried by asuitably-constructed metal or other frame 47 to support the severaloperating elements disposed under the manual. The slides 44: and 45 haveupwardly projecting rests 4.8 arranged at regular intervals and spacedapart from each other, the rests of one slide being disposed oppositethe spaces between the rests of the other slide. The upper end of eachrest 43 is bifurcated to form a seat 49, and when one slide is elevatedby pulling the rod 33 for actuating the same its rests are projectedabove the rests of the other slide for a purpose which will be presentlyset forth.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the tones of theviolin or viol may be varied at will by depressing the keys of themanual and produce tones having a pitch corresponding to that of themanual-key in ordinary organ constructions, with the additionaladvantage that two tones in unison on different strings can be attainedby each key.

Beneath the forward extremity of the manual a guide-bar is arranged andhas a front and rear series of longitudinallyarranged openings 51 formedtherein, the two series of openings corresponding in number to the blackand white keys of an ordinary manual complement. The rear series ofopenings are positioned to correspond to the location of the black keysabove, and the front series of these openings are likewise arranged forthe white keys. Movably mounted in both series of opening are key-pins52, secured at their upper ends to the black and white keys of themanual, and to reduce the friction on the several pins and render theiroperation more sensitive the guide-bar 50 is formed hollow, as at 50.The pins 52 are long enough to project a considerable distance below theun der side of the bar 50, and the length of the pins will be determinedby the general proportions aud arrangement of the parts with which theycooperate. Arranged on the bar 50 in advance of the front series ofopenings and back of the rear series of openings are springs 53, equalin number to the keys above and permitting the said keys to be depressedto a normal low position without restriction, but under certainconditions, which will be ICC IIO

hereinafter explained, allow the keys to have agreaterdepressionimpartedthereto. T he ends of this bar 50, as abovedescribed, are slidably disposed in grooved guide-plates secured uponthe end pieces of the instrnment-casing, the said bar 50 beingvertically movable and adjustable in the guide-plates in order toincrease and diminish the distance between it and the under side of themanual-keys, so as to regulate the distance the keys may be depressed,and the pressure of the bows on the strings be controlled to increase ordecrease the volume of sound. A means is provided forraising andlowering this bar 50, which means will be fully described hereinafter.

In advance of the slides H and L5 and under the guidebar 50 two rods 54and 55 are mounted and held at their ends in the frame 4:7, and on thesaid rods independent series of wipers 56 are rotatably mounted and areequal in number to the pins 52, carried by the manual-keys, the frontseries of wipers beingoperated by the white keys of the manual and therear series by the black keys. The wipers each comprise an outer orfront contact projection 57, having its upper edge always in contactwith the lower end of the adjacent pin 52. The rear extremity of thewipers is bifurcated to form a yoke 58, and the rear ends of the arms ofsaid yoke are rounded, as at 59, for a purpose which will be presentlyset forth. By depressing any one of the manualkeys the pin 52 thereofwill beardownwardly on the front projection 57 of the wiper 56 beneaththe same and the rear yoked extremity 58 will be thrown upwardly.

Each. key of the manual is arranged to operate two members of the bowingmechanism which will be presently described, and in view of the'largenumber of motion-transferring devices necessary to accomplish thisresult such motion-transferring devices are grouped in pairs in relationto each key, and one device is above the plane of the other; but all ofone level are parallel throughout the entire series. In other words, thehigher motiontransferring devices of the several pairs operative by theindividual manual-keys are normally disposed in the same horizontalplane, as are also the lower devices of the pairs. Thesemotion-transferring devices for each key consist of twotransversely-extending bars 60 and 61, which are freely slidable onportions of the frame 47, arranged thereunder. The bars 60 and 61 havefront terminal enlargements or heads 62, that of the upper bar 61 beinglarger and having a greater dependence than that of the bar 60. To theheads 62 of each pair of bars 60 and 61 actuating members 63 are hingedand rest in the seats 49 of the slides 14: and as, the outer ends of theactuating members being so disposed that they may be brought intocontact with the rear rounded terminals of the arms of the yoke 58,forming a part of the wiper 56.

\Vhen one slide is raised, it brings the actuating member 63 carriedthereby up into horizontal position and in engagement with the nearestarms of the yoke 58, and if the other slide be lowered its actuatingmembers 63 or the members controlled thereby will be permitted to loweror fall out of engaging positions with relation to the remaining arms ofthe yokes, and hence one tone of a certain pitch only will be producedby a depression of the keys affected by such adjustment. vIt is obviousthat both actuating members 63 may be thrown up into operative relationto the yoke of the wiper under each key, and likewise both placers 36may be thrown over the rear end of the same key or the series of keys toobtain two unison tones to each key. The motion-transferring devices setforth cooperate with bow-shifters in the form of longitudinally-slidingbars 6& and 65. These bow-shifters are arranged in series to correspondwith the range of tone l'iaving different pitches that can be producedby properly [ingering or stopping the four strings of a viol or violin.There are at least four of these how-shifters employed, and the onebearing the referenee-numeral 6st is situated farthest to the rear andoperative by the extreme upper-re ister complement of keys of the organto control the first or E string of the viol or violin. The secondbow-shifter (nmnbered 65) is operative by the same keys in the manualcontrolling the operation of the shifter 6st to produce the unisoneffects that may be desired in solo work, for instance, and also byadditional keys in the middle register of the manual to obtain the fullnumber of positions and pitch effects of the second or A string of theviol or violin. The third bow-shifter or bar 66 is arranged foractuation by the keys of the manual in the middle register and a portionof the bass-keys to obtain the fulltone variation of the third or 1)string of the viol or violin. The fourth shifter or bar 67 is operatedby the keys of the manual in the bass-register solely, and it will beunderstood that the motion transferring devices controlled by the keysof the manual within a very low range in the bass will not be in pairs;but each key will control one of such transferring devices. The shifter67 regulates the member of the bowing means for sounding the fourth or Gstring of the viol or violin. The shifters 6a, 65, 66,-and 67,respectively, actuate bow-arms 68, 69, 70, and '71, disposed at an angleto each of said shifters, and between the terminals of the shifters andbow-arms horizontally-positioned segments 72 are interposed, the saidsegments being fulcrumed at their reduced ends on supports orbracket-arms 73, projecting from portions of the frame 17. The bow-arms68, 69, 70, and 71 are slidable in a skeleton frame Tet, secured to therear portion of the frame 47, and surrounding a portion of each armbetween a pin or stud thereon and the rear side of the frame 74 is aspring 76, which operates to return the arm to its normal position. Thearms 68, 69, 70, and 71 are of different lengths for a purpose whichwill pres ently appear, and each has an angle extension 77 adjustablysecured theretoby bolts or pins 78. On the depending member 79 of eachangle extension an elongated verticallyarranged roller 80 is mounted andhas flanges 81 at its upper and lower ends. These bowarms, with theirextensions and rollers, operate in conjunction with portions of a bow orbowing element to deflect or distend and bring said portions in contactwith the several strings of the viol or violin in response to theactuation of the keys of the manual controlling the several individualbow-arms. lt is obvious that to effect a shifting movement of theseveral bow-shifters or sliding bars 6 1, 65, 66, and 67 through themedium of the motion-transferring devices actuated by the keys of themanual some intermediate mechanism must be employed in view of the factthat the motion-transferring devices are in planes at right angles tothe bow-shifters. For this purpose a horizontally-disposed segment 82has one terminal of its enlarged extremity continually in contact withthe rear end of one of the bars 60 or 61 and its opposite end incontinual contact with an upwardly-projecting shoulder or stop 83 on theshifting bar with which it cooperates. The segments 82 are equal innumber to the motion-transferring devices operating in connection witheach bowshifter, and the number of upstanding shoulders or stops 88 willbe similar. The segments 82 are fulcrumed on portions of the frame 47adjacent to the several bow-shifters and are all of uniform dimensionsand have the same relative position to move the shifters from right toleft when the keys of the manual are operated. By depressing the keys ofthe manual within the scope of actuation of the bowshifters the latterwill be moved without lost motion to individually actuate the bow-armswith which they cooperate, and thereby produce sound from the individualstrings of the viol or violin which will be pitched as to tone by thesimultaneous operation of corresponding fingers engaging the viol orviolin strings through the medium of the placers 36.

Thebowing or sound-prot'lucing mechanism comprises upper and lowerhorizontally-disposed frames 84, mounted on a post 85, extending throughthe center thereof. These frames 84L are arranged at an oblique anglewithin the casing to give a proper inclination of the bowing elementwith relation to the viol strings, and each comprises opposite yoked orU-shaped extremities 86, terminally connected to opposite endbearing-frames 87, having pairs of end lugs 88, engaging guideframes 89,disposed at diagonally opposite points in the rear portion of thecasing 1. The

frames 84 are composed of resilient metal members which are bowedslightly from their central portions toward their extremities and are somounted upon the post 85 that they may be compressed toward each otheror allowed to expand in order to permit the tension of the bowing bandsor belts carried thereby to be adjusted. This adjustment is accomplishedby rigidly mounting the lower frame on the standard, as at 81. andmovably arranging the upper frame and providing an adjustingnut 8% onthe threaded upper end 85 of the standard above the upper frame by meansof which nut 8 1 the movable frame may be forced toward the stationaryone, which action straightens the frames to increase the tension on thebowing-bands, or by permitting the movable frame to spring away from thestationary frame they will be allowed to assume a more curved positionto reduce the tension. The end frames 87 are vertically movable in theguide-frames 89,and, as clearly shown. in Figs. 14, 15, and 16, theframes 87 are substantially rectangular and are formed with rectangularopenings 90, in which are mounted, one in each, bearing-plates 91. Thebearing-plates 91 are slidable in the frame and are rendered adjustablelongitudinally thereof by means of an adjusting-screw 92, threadedthrough the end member of the frame 87 and swiveled at its inner end tothe said plate in any suitable manner, as at 92, said screw beingprovided with an operating-handle 92" at its outer end and with a wingedjam-nut 92, which is adapted to abut the end member of the frame torigidly hold the bearing-plate in the position to which it may beadjusted by the screw 92. Each plate has a slot 93 therethrough near itsopposite ends and intermediate slots 94, the said slots 93 and 91 havingsupporting-flanges 95 along their side walls which project into slots 95in journalplates 96, between the inner edges of which and the inner endwalls of the slots 93 springs 97 are arranged and secured in permanentpositions to resiliently resist longitudinal movement of the individualjournal-plates. These journal-plates 96 have journal-blocks 98adjustably mounted therein, the said plates being slotted, as at 99. toreceive said blocks, and from the latter flanged rollers or pulleys 100project upwardly, said pulleys being four in number at each end of theframe 84:. As before indicated, the plate 91 is adjustable, and by itsmovement all of the journal-plates 96 and journal-blocks 98 aresimultaneously moved in the same direction; but in addition to thisunitary adjustment the journal-blocks 98, near the ends of the plate 91,and the intermediate journal-blocks are adjustable in planes at rightangles to the adjustment of the plate 91. As clearly shown by Figs. 14:

and 15, the blocks 98 have opposite end grooves 101, which receivecorresponding flanges 102 in the journal-plates 96, and depending fromthe blocks 98, near the ends of the plate 91, as well as from theintermediate blocks, are lugs 103 and 104C, engaged by adjusting-rods105, having their inner ends swiveled in the lugs 103, andscrew-threaded portions 106 engaging the lugs 10%. Each journal-block 98has one of the adjusting-rods cooperating therewith, and the outer endsof said rods are formed with turn-heads 106, simulating a thumb-nuthead, whereby the several blocks 98 may be shifted to change the spacedrelation of the same with reference to each other. The pulleys 100 carrycontinuous bowing-belts which are propelled continuously in onedirection and are moved into engagement with the strings of theinstrument to produce the desired musical effect. These bowing belts orhands are four in number and are arranged as follows: The band or belt107 for engaging the string E of the violin is arranged around the frontand rear pulleys of each set at the opposite ends of the bow-frame. Thebelt 107 for the A-string passes the first and third of the pulleys atthe right of the frame and the second and fourth at the left; the belt107" for the D-string, the first and second at the right and the fourthand third at the left; the belt for the G-string, the first pulley atthe right and the fourth at the left. By this arrangement it will beclearly seen from Fig. 5 of the drawings, and also Fig. 1, that thebands are spaced apart from each other and that the movement of one inno way interferes with the movements of the others. The belts arearranged in this manner to reduce the operative mechanism therefor andposition four portions thereof in close proximity to the strings of theviol or violin. Motion is imparted to these bowingbelts from theinnermost pulley 100 at the right, though it could be equally wellapplied to either one of the other end pulleys. The shaft 108 of theinnermost end pulley at the right is extended downwardly and is formedangular in cross-section, as clearly shown by Fig. 23, and thereon ismounted a drive-pulley 109, held at a suitable elevation by a bracket110, secured to a part of the guide-frame 88 or supported in any othersuitable manner. This drive-pulley 109 is surrounded by a belt 111,running from a motorpulley 112 on the upper end of a motor-shaftactuated by any suitable form of motor inclosed in a case or housing 113in the lower portion of the casingl.

The motor-pulley 112 is of considerably larger dimensions than thedrive-pulley 109 to obtain the necessary speed of bowing-belts 107, andto control the expression of the tones evolved from the strings of theviolin by contact there- I and for this purpose the shaft on which themotor-wheel 112 is mounted also has a brake wheel 113 secured thereon,which is engaged by a brake-strap or band 114, fastened at one end tothe rear portion of the frame 17 and having its opposite end movablyextending through the one end of a piston chamber or housing 115, inwhich a piston 116 is movably mounted and has the adjacent end of theband 114: attached thereto. Between the piston 116 and the end of thechamber or housing 115 nearest the motor-pulley 112 metallic springs 117are interposed which operate to draw the piston into normal position andslaclien the band 114: to relieve the resisting tension thereof inrelation to the brake wheel or pulley 113. Connected to the piston 116is one end of an intermediately-fulcrumed lever 118, and to the oppositeend of said lever 118 a connecting-rod 119 is attached, which at itsfree end is connected to a means to be fully described hereinafter, bywhich it is operated to apply the brake whereby the performer mayreadily control the movement of the bowing-belts 107, and variations intone, intensity, and quality may thus be readily controlled to conformto the marks of expression indicated by the music executed. As clearlyshown by Fig. 1, the rear portions ofthe four belts 107 are arranged atan angle between the strings of the viol or violin above the bridge ofthe latter and are held in continual contact with the rollers 80 on thedepending members of the angle extensions 77 of the bow-arms 68, 69, 70,and 71, so that when the said bow-arms are moved by the operation of themanual-keys, as herefore explained, the portions of the bowing-beltsengaged thereby will be instantly brought into contact with the stringsof the viol or violin with which they are intended to operate. Theadjustable features heretofore explained in connection with the plates91 and journal-blocks 98 are intended to maintain the bowing-belts 107at the necessary degree of tautness and hold the rear portions of saidbelts in proper spaced relation and in the desired proximity to thestrings of the viol or violin. The springs 97 are employed in order topermit the portions of the belts engaging the viol or violin strings tohave sulficient yielding movement or elasticity to obtain the delicatetouch of the rear belt portions in relation to the strings of the violor violin under normal tension conditions and to avoid too harshbearingof the belt portions on the strings.

lt will be understood by those acquainted with violin execution that itis necessary to produce certain tone effects to shift the bow closer toor farther from the bridge of the viol or violin relatively to a normalplane of position of the bow on the strings. To meet this requirement,the frame 84, which comprises upper and lower duplicate members of,similar structure, is arranged for vertical movement in theguide-frames 88, and to obl tain this result an adjusting-rod 120 isconnected to the lower part of said frame 84 and projects downwardlythrough the lower portion of the casing 1 to the front of the latter andattached to a pedal pivoted to a support in a manner to behereinafterdescribed. By applying different degrees of pressure to thisexterior pedal controlling therod 120 the frame 8 1 may be raised atintervals to cause the bowing-belts to contact with 'the strings of theviol or violin at varying distances from the bridge of the latter, andby releasing the pedal connected to the rod 120 the frame 84, carryingthe bowing-belt, will immediately gravitate to normal position.

The bowing-belts 107 can be constructed in many difl erent ways toarrive at the result sought; but to closely approximate the ordinaryhorsehair bow it is preferred that it be constructed as clearly shown indetail in Figs. 24, 25, 26, and 27, wherein it will be seen that saidbelts are composed of a backing-lamina 121 and a securing-lamina 122,the latter of which at regular intervals is formed with transverseoblique lines of openings 123, through which horsehairs 124 are threadedin reverse directions and extend longitudinally over the upper side ofthe lamina 122, the ends being spread on the back of the lamina 122 andsecured in place by the backing-lamina 121, which is cemented to theunder side of the lamina 122. The hairs are arranged on the hands bythreading a needle with a strand of hairs, as a in Fig. 25, which havebeen cut to a desired or proper length, which strand is passed upthrough one of the openings 123 from the under side of the band and isthen carried downwardly from the upper side of the hand through one ofthe openings 123 at a considerable distance from the one first filled.This operation is repeated until all the openings in a line are filled,when those in the next line are similarly filled with a strand 6, theterminals of the hairs being threaded through the set of openingsfollowing those which received the preceding strands until the surfaceof the band is entirely covered. This operation is continued withstrands c and (Z until the proper thickness of hair is provided. By thisarrangement it will be seen that the weaving of the hairs is so closeand the breaks or spaces between the meeting ends of the strands are sowell covered that a smooth. even, and uninterrupted surface is provided.The horsehairs 12 1 are closely arranged, as shown by Fig. 27, and thewidth of the belt is approximately that of an ordinary violin bow,though the proportions may be varied to meet different contingencies. Itis essen tial, however, that the pulleys over which the belts run bespaced a suflicient distance apart to arrange each belt in stretches ofsuch length that the operating portion or stretch adjacent to thestrings of the viol will constitute, in effect, a continuously-movablelinear (com paratively long and narrow) bow of proper length to extendin opposite directions past the coacting string the requisite distanceto permit of its free distention or deflection out of its normal path tobring it into engagement with the string under the action of thecooperating bow shifter without undue resistance or tendency tovibrations producing discordant sounds. The frame 8% is primarilyadjusted to dispose the belts in proper position of close ness to thestrings of the viol or violin, and by having the angle extensions 77adjustable on the bow-arms the rollers 80 can be moved to bring theminto contact with the four belts which engage the strings, the saidrollers depending between the belts, as clearly shown by Fig. 1. Ai'esin-a iiplying attachment is also used in connection with the bowingmechanism and consists of a pull-rod 125, which is projected through thefront of the easing and has an outer head or knob 126 and a rear angulardeflected extremity 127, carrying a series of holders 128, in whichblocks or pieces 129 of resin are clamped in proper position to engagethe horsehair face of the belt 127. By properly moving the rod theblocks or pieces of resin 129 are brought into contact with the beltsand allowed to remain in such position until the belts have beenthoroughly treated withresin. After the resin has been applied the rod125 is moved in the opposite direction to clear the blocks or pieces ofresin from the belts. The operation of applying the resin is carried onwhile the belts are moving, or, in other words, the motor is startedafter the blocks or pieces of resin have been adjusted in contact withthe belts. An attachment is also provided for tuning the violin-stringsand consists of tuning-rods 130, projected through the front of thecasing 1 above the manual and having exterior heads 131. The rear endsof the rods 130 are provided with worms 132one on each which engageworm-gears 133 on the ends of the tuning-pegs. It is obvious that byturning the rods 130 the strings of the violin or viol may be regularlytuned and during such operation the keys of the n'ianual arranged tobring the bowing-belts in contact with the strings.

The means for raising and lowering the keystop bar 50 and for operatingthe brake for the motor will now be described. In the front wall of thecasing for the instrument are formed vertical openings 13 1, andprojecting through said openings to a point within the casing areextensions 135 of knee swells or levers 136, said openings and leversbeing spaced a proper distance from each other and the levers beinghinged to the front wall of the casing, as at 137. At a point adjacenttheir outer ends the knee-swells are provided with vertical extensions138, which extend upwardly through openings 139 in the bottom of themanual extension. To the end of each of the projections 138 is pivotallyattached "int one end of a connecting-bar 1&0, the opposite ends of saidbars overlapping each other and being pivotally connected, as at 1&1, toone end of a lever 1&2, the levers 1&2 being fulcrumed upon studs 1&3,secured within the casing. The upper portions of these levers 1&2 areprovided with diverging arms 1&&, in the ends of which are rotatablymounted rubber rollers 1&5, which reduce the liability of disagreeablesounds. Pivotally mounted within the manual extension at a point midwaybetween the fulcrums of the levers 1&2 1s a rocking lever 1&6, to theopposite ends of which, as at 1&7, are pivotally connected pull-rods1&8, the opposite ends pivoted to the lower ends of swinging levers 1&9,the upper ends of the latter being provided with lateral projections150, extending into horizontal slots 151 in the bar 50. The lower end ofthe rocking lever 1&6 is extended for a distance below the point of itsconnection with the rod 1&8, as at 152, and is arranged between the arms1&& of the levers 1&2, the extension 152 being flattened, so as to beengaged by the arms of both of said levers, which, it will be seen,overlap each other when swung on their fulcrums to swing said lever 1&6to raise and lower the bar 50. To raise the bar 50. the knee-swell tothe right of the instrument, referring particularly to Fig. 8, is swungon its hinge, which action pulls upon the connecting-rod 1&0 and throwsthe lever 1&2 connected thereto to the left, the arms of said leverengaging the lower end of the lever 1&6 to swing it to the right, whichwill push the rods 1&8 laterally and outwardly in opposite directions,thereby swinging the levers 1&9 to raise their upper or free ends, whichslides the bar 50 upwardly upon the guides therefor,

which brings said bar closer to the keys, and

correspondingly restricts the depression of the keys to decrease thepressure of the bow-bands on the viol or violin strings. '1.heknee-swellabove mentioned being released is returned to its normal position bymeans of a spring 153, secured to the casing and engaging saidknee-swell. The bar 50 is lowered by the swinging of the left knee-swellto the left, which, through the rod 1&0 connected thereto and associatedlever 1&2, swings the lower end of the rocking lever 1&6 to the right,which movement of the lever 1&6 exerts a pull on the rods 1&8, therebydrawing them inwardly and swinging the lovers 1&9 in the oppositedirection to that previously described to lower their upper or freeends, which eventuates in the lowering of the bar to a point fartherfrom the keys, thereby allowing the keys to be depressed to a greaterextent, so as to increase the pressure exerted upon the strings by thebowing mechanism, and consequently the intensity of the volume of soundgiven off. This left knee-swell is also returned to its initial positionand normally held there by a spring 153, similar in construction andarrangement to that on the opposite swell. The action of these springs153 in maintaining the swells in normal position also serves to returnthe levers 1&2 to their normal positions, which results in swinging thelever 1&7 to assume a normal position to hold the bar 50 at a point toobtain a medium loud tone from the instrun'ient.

As before mentioned, a means for regulating the speed of the motor fordriving the bow-bands is employed which will now bedescribed, said meansbeing also operable by the knee-swells, as will presently appear.Referrii'ig particularly to Figs. 7 and 10 of the drawings, it will beseen, as hereinbc'fore described, that the knee-swells are provided withextensions 135, projecting to a point within the casing, where each isprovided with a pin 15&, which pins project into and work within slots155 in the upper ends of levers 156, which at points intermediate theirends, as at 157, are fulcrumed upon ln'acket-arms 15S, mounted in theinstrument-casing, the levers being provided at their lower ends withrubber rollers 159. The brackets just mentioned are provided with arms160, formed at their free ends with guides 161, in which is slidablydisposed a longitudinally-movallle bar 162, provided at a pointintern'imliate its ends with a depending arm 163, com'lerted at itslower end to the end of the rod 11 $1 for controlling the brake. Thisbar 162 is also provided upon its upper side with projections 16& 165,which are arranged in the paths of the swing of the levers 156, whichengage the said projections to operate the brake in the followingmanner:

As the knee levers or swells are fulcrumed upon vertical hinges, their1' ar ends will swing in a direction opposite to that in which the frontends are moved. it follows, therefore, that if the right-hand knee loveror swell be swung to the right to raise the bar 50 and lessen the volumeof tone produced by the how its pin 15& will swing the lever 156 to theleft. Hence its roller 159 will be moved to the right, thereby movingrod 119 to the right and forcing piston 116 outward in its housing 115against the resistance of spring 117, causing the tightening of belt11&, resulting in a reduced speed of the motor. On the other hand, ifthe lefthand knee-lever be pressed to the left to lower the bar 50 itspin 15& will move to the right, thereby moving the lever 156 to swingits roller 159 out of engagement with the coacting n'ojectioi'i on rod162, thereby permitting springs 117 to draw the piston 116 inward andforce rod 119 to the left, thus slackening the belt 11& andp0111'111lbil1g' the motor to operate at increased speed.

For the purpose of increasing the volume of sound under circumstancesrendering the use of the right knee-swell undesirable 1 provide a meansfor raising a cover or lid to the instrument-casing to permit the soundto emit 3

